I've been meaning to capture the moments that make motherhood so special and although there are many videos and photos which will account for the first 15 months of Tavish's life there are no journals or scrapbooks. So, this blog will document the tid-bits and tales of the moments that make a mother proud, happy and generally enthused about this ride that is motherhood. This has been created for me but I invite you to read, share and enjoy this collection of moments too.
August 24-26, 2015
Well, we ambitiously packed yet another adventure into our summer-of-fun ... Mommy and the kids went off to YMCA family camp with some other Moms and kids.
Cast of Characters
Plus this great bird of prey!
Early arrival picnic...and catch (of course)
Paper making...
...and the little one who got away...
...and found green dye that was not intended for her...
Ice cream for (Mommy) to recover
It was general craziness...
Swinging...
Scoring...
Crafting...
...and Mud. Plenty of mud...
MOMENT: Busy, Crazy, Memorable
We spotted a peregrin falcon when we arrived - a memorable highlight. Then there was the host of new challenges for all of us. Tavish tried a few new things ... he spotted the falcon nest while playing tennis and had an introductory ukulele lesson while Keva and I duked it out in a game of Candy Land. Keva tried some time in the "shire" (young kid camp) on her own for a bit while Tavish and I went out in kayaks. Then there was the craft shack ... see the green stain showing Keva's quick escape from my sight?! We hit the beach and ultimately hit the road early. We bit off more than we could chew by this point in the summer, but in hindsight realize that we still go a whole lot of learning from the adventure together.
Tom's sister included a trip to Toronto at the end of their trip 'home' during the summer. It's always fun to watch the growing cousins play together...
MOMENT: Play, Play, Play
We went out for a few meals, explored at the Brickyards, played at the playground, splashed around, played some hockey, and took in the sites of the CNE together. The adventure just never stopped.
It always feels good to go "home" and share a bit of my childhood with my children. Cabin. Family. Friends. Adventure. Travel. Fun.
MOMENTS: Too Many to Consolodate
Too much fun for just one video ... so it's a series of shorter videos of our wonderful, annual voyage to the homeland. As an overview, here is the reflection Tavish and I did together when we got back to Toronto...
Part 1: The journey there starts with a travelling adventure and ends with the comfort of home.
Part 2: The whole family gathers for the single purpose of being together and it's wonderful.
Part 3: We were lucky to have another almost-annual visit with Kate, Sophie, and Eli.
Part 4: The cabin is where it's at. It's where we all want to be and who can blame us?
Part 5: Some other great adventures included a paddle with Tavish on Rainy Lake, sailing at the Kowalchuk's cabin, going to the Emo Fair to watch Logan show his cow, and hanging out in town. Alas, all adventures come to an end. The silver lining: coming back home to Daddy!
We were able to gather around a pond to see what we could find this summer with a few of Mommy's colleagues. Martha Ann and Tal met us at the pond by the farm where Eowyn and Tavish explored the water edge for some signs of life while Keva and Elanor were chased around as they looked around at all the other signs of beauty of life.
Group pond exploration
Keva takes a scoop
Eowyn and Tavish scoop...
...then ponder their findings
MOMENT: Pond Fun
Nets, buckets, magnifiers and a keen sense of curiosity led to many moving discoveries...
Our family ambitiously headed out for a 24 hour adventure in camping. Lake Eerie was a lot of fun! Beach and waves. Camping was also fun, but more in a sleep-depriving way...
Sand
Sticks
Fire
Feast
Exhaustion
MOMENT: Tired but Full
There was swimming, wave surfing, fire building, marshmellow roasting, and no rest for the weary (aka: parents). Our large family bed that we imagined with four parallel bodies was usurped by bodies in all angles leaving Daddy salvaging some sleep for himself in the sandy part of the tent without a sleeping bag and Mommy sleeping with a Keva overhead (like a cat) and Tavish perpendicular (like an actual "t"). Ahh, the memories and we'll still probably do it again!
"The best thing to hold onto in life is each other"
Happy 50th Anniversary, Mom & Dad
What a wonderful occasion to be able to celebrate all together for one week in Prince Edward Island...
Happiness
Excitement
Silliness
Energy
Safety
Culture
Snacks
Lots of Snacks
Beaching Boy
Beaching Girl
Love
Family
MOMENT: 50 is A Lot of Years Worth Celebrating!
A 1,700km drive over 2 days in a small car with a 6 and 3 year old was absolutely worth it to be able to celebrate Grandma and Grandpa Mel. My brother, nephew and Aunt (my Mom's "maid of honour") were there to make the whole thing extra memorable. Fine food. Sandy beaches. Golf. Anne of Green Gables. Waterslides. Cousin time. Goodness.
"Newlyweds become 'oldyweds' and they are the reason families work!"
